Even before the end of last season, Kings coach Michael Malone spoke often about changing the team’s style of play.

Malone wanted the Kings to play smarter and faster, move the ball and commit more to defense. That’s how the San Antonio Spurs won the 2014 NBA championship.

Through free agency (point guard Darren Collison) and the draft (shooting guard Nik Stauskas), the Kings believe they have taken steps toward those changes while counting on growth and maturity from returning players.

Some of the returnees are being drilled in the new strategy during the NBA Summer League. Saturday, the Kings won their fourth in a row, beating the Chicago Bulls 80-61 at the Thomas & Mack Center to reach the semifinals.

With a roster including as many as seven players who could be at training camp this fall, Malone needs the players to start embracing the new mindset as soon as possible.

Point guard Ray McCallum, shooting guard Ben McLemore and Stauskas will play a lot next season, so their progress in summer league is paramount to Malone’s vision.